Zimbabwe exiles to vote in mock election

Zimbabwe exiles to vote in mock election

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By Staff Reporter

ZIMBABWEANS living in South Africa are set to take part in a mock election after the government shot down their pleas for postal ballots for the estimated 3,5 million nationals living abroad.

The mock election, which is not part of the official electoral process currently happening in Zimbabwe, will be held at the Zimbabwe embassy in Pretoria on Tuesday March 29, organisers said.

Zimbabweans vote in nationwide parliamentary elections on Thursday, two days after the Pretoria mock ballot.

"The mock election will be conducted to send signals to the Zimbabwean government that Zimbabweans in the Diaspora also need to contribute in the political decision making process of their country by participating in the election of representatives to the national government structures," Daniel Molokele of the Crisis in Zimbabwe group said in a statement.

"It will also send signals to SADC and the rest of the world on the need and possibility for Zimbabweans all over the world to participate in all national elections from their present countries of residence. This will also set a foundation for Zimbabweans in the Diaspora to intensify the campaign for a postal ballot vote," he said.

Organisers also plan to allow for SMS voting via mobile phones. They hope the outcome will indicate people’s willingness to participate in postal voting as well as their support for the Diaspora vote lobby.

"Those willing to participate by SMS voting will be writing messages with the name of their chosen party, i.e. write Zanu PF or MDC or other or independents. Non Zimbabweans in solidarity with this cause are encouraged to write solidarity. The texts should be sent to number 34383 for all South African cellular networks.

"The election is crucial towards the success of advocacy and campaign for good governance in Zimbabwe. We have a liability to contribute to the restoration of democracy, dignity, human rights respect, political and socio-economic reconstruction of that beloved country," said Molokele.

A group of seven Zimbabweans based in the UK launched a court challenge on the decision by government to bar them from voting, but the petition was rejected by the Supreme Court which dismissed it as "without basis".
For additional information call Daniel Molokele on (SA numbers) 011 838 9642 or 072 947 4815 or Email: info@crisiszimbabwe.org
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